Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Is a sitcom set in post-Eaton Fire Altadena in poor taste? Many say yes
A Change.org petition is calling for the cancellation of the project.
(
Change.org
)
Anjelika Perry is an artist and community strategist who lives in New Orleans but grew up in Altadena.
It’s been eight months since the devastating Eaton Fire swept through Altadena, burning more than 9,000 structures, including her family’s homes. Recalling the phone call she received from her brother during the fire as he was trying to salvage their family home still brings tears to her eyes.
Courtesy of Anjelika Perry
(
The remains of the Perry family home in Altadena after the Eaton Fire.
)
“We had cousins that lived a couple of streets over, cousins that lived down the street. We lost all of our homes,” Perry said.
Support for LAist comes from
So when she learned that CBS was developing a sitcom with Black-ish creator Kenya Barris and stand-up comedian Mike Epps about brothers in post-fire Altadena, she felt compelled to post on Instagram.
In partnership with the community organization Altadena Rising, Perry posted about the show with the caption, "SOLD… to the highest bidder." As of Sept. 11, the post had more than 5,000 likes and 3,000 shares.
“Why are we sharing a story that is not real about our community when there's so many real stories to share?” Perry told LAist. “And then also the trigger thing for me was, why a comedy when no one that we know of in the community is a part of this project?”
Perry also created a change.org petition demanding the cancellation of the project.
Some are open to the idea of an Altadena sitcom
Nahshon Dion currently lives in the Bronx and she’s also an artist who grew up in Altadena, identifying as a fourth generation Altadenan. Her extended family lost all their homes in the fire.
Support for LAist comes from
Nahshon Dion and Courtney Davis in Altadena's Loma Alta Park in 1992.
(
Courtesy of Nahshon Dion
)
Dion is currently curating an anthology titled Our Beloved Altadena featuring the writing of community residents.
When Dion heard the news about the show, she had a very different reaction to Perry, especially as someone who loved sitcoms as a kid and grew up to work in the entertainment industry.
“ I presume that the production company will likely employ a consultant or consultants from our beloved Altadena,” Dion told LAist. “I presume and surely hope so because that would be the right thing to do.”
Dion added that she hopes some of the proceeds from a show about the community would go back to the community, which is still grappling with the aftermath of the fire.
“Altadena needs a lot of laughter. We're all grieving," Dion said. "And at the same time, this is community healing and Altadena needs a tremendous amount of laughter. And if Kenya Barris and Mike Epps are the two individuals to bring it, let's see it.”
The history of Altadena’s Black community — and Barris’ response
Before the Eaton Fire, Altadena was home to a tight-knit multi-generational Black community, created through a history of segregation and redlining that excluded Black households from other areas of L.A. Many in the community were able to establish generational wealth.
Support for LAist comes from
According to a study from UCLA, Black households were disproportionately affected by the Eaton Fire.
Kenya Barris, the creator of Black-ish, is known to not shy away from sensitive issues that affect the Black community. He talked about his approach to hot button issues in a 2016 interview with LAist.
After news of the sitcom first broke in Deadline, Barris posted the article to his Instagram. He responded to criticism in his comments with, "I understand your fear but know that I only plan to do the best I can to make sure the world sees you."
He has since taken the post down. Both Barris and CBS have not responded to our request for comment.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs. -
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
Best of LAist